WARRINGTON Ladies match team proved once more to be the 'Belles of the Ball' when they took the gold medal in last Saturdays 'Millennium National Match' on the River Soar at Leicester. The name 'Warrington Ladies' is a title of convenience because the team of four is made up from ladies from all over the area including Walkden's Mariam Wharmby, along with Pam Wyatt, Lynne Lawton and Ellen Thompson.

Their latest success brings their medal tally to three in as many years. This year just 10 grammes seperated them from second placed Boston. Doncaster came in third. Junior Open PRINCE Albert Angling Society are holding their annual Junior Open on Sand/Dove Meres on Saturday August 26th.

This is an opportunity for young anglers from the area to fish the prestigious club's waters even though they are not members.

The day is sponsored by Stapeley Angling Centre and their generosity plus contributions from many other businesses means an extravagnza for all participants with prizes guaranteed for all.

If you are 16 or under on the day and wish to book on, write to PAAS, Box 151, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 2HR or phone 01625 422010 and be prepared to leave your name, address and telephone number on the answerphone.

The Meres are just off the A50 through Knutsford. Take the first turning on the right onto Wash Lane after Hills Garden Centre and then through the double gate on the left. Barnes' victory GETTING close to nature is one of the joys of angling and no-one got closer to his fish than Dave Barnes in last Wednesday night's Doffcocker Open. Fishing in teeming rain and at unfancied peg number nine, Dave was non too hopefull of framing.

But when his worm baited quivertip slammed round he knew that this was no ordinary fish and a moment later his aching arm proved his theory correct.

In order to negotiate the near nine pound common carp into his landing net Dave set off walking towards the fish. But his walk turned out to be more of a ramble and he knew he had to stop when his thigh-waders were full of water.

But the safe netting of his commoner more than made up for his head to toe soaking and a few other bits brought his weight to a winning total of 10lbs-10ozs. Tony Birchall in peg 1c was second with 6lbs-13ozs.

Dave Hughes was third with 4lbs-14ozs made up of skimmers. Others:- Joint 4th. J. Jock and T. Seamark 3lbs-12ozs. 6th. G. Fogg 3lbs-2ozs. Matches in brief STANDARD Scaffolding Monday Night Open -- Tensions are hightening amongst the non-qualifiers with only one more match before the final on Bank Holiday Monday. The tench did not show and most had to be content with catching small silver fish although the winner had two bream in his total. The two bonus pegs just keep running and running.1st Malcolm Liptrott (Bolton Anglers Association), peg 24, 5-15-8, 2nd C. Fordacre (BAS 2000), peg 17, 3-11-0, 3rd. Alan McAtee (Lostock Tackle and Bait), peg 41, 2-8-8, Sections:- Kenny Entwistle (Little Lever) 2-7-12, Mick Hargreaves (Little Lever) 2-5-10.

Lord Nelson Aggregate Match -- Rumours are rife that the water has been badly affected by comorants over the winter and with two birds on the bouys throughout the match coupled with the weights being well down on the previous two years the club has been on the venue, many believed the rumours to be true. Tony Carter fished the quivertip with worm. 1st Tony Carter 6-1-0, 2nd Barrie Kaye 5-15-4, 3rd Trevor Bevin 4-4-4, 4th Trevor Hayes 3-7-0.

Farnworth Anglers Charity Match Blackleach Reservoir -- Nineteen anglers fished on the pegs which had all been previously weeded by Bob Fearnhead and £50 was donated to the Alzheimers Charity. Alan Platt had five tench on the tip and could afford to lose four others. 1st Alan Platt (Bolton Angling Centre) 18-1-0, 2nd Alan Battersby (Bolton Rivers) 8-4-0, 3rd Marvin Hyde (Appolo Motors) 5-10-0, 4th D Stevens (Unattached) 4-2-0, 5th Bob Fearnhead (Worsley Angling Centre) 3-15-0, 6th Rowland Stansfield (Bolton Rivers) 3-0-0.

Dixon Green Wednesday Open 02/08/00 A FULL turn out of twenty had to endure a full hour of heavy rain which killed off the sport. Those that caught early on contested the places.

1st Bob Fearnhead (Worsley Angling Centre, peg 13, 6-5-0, 2nd A. Chilli (unattached), peg 22, 3-2-0, 3rd. John Eastwood (Worsley Angling Centre), peg 21, 2-7-0, 4th Ray Liddell (Unattached), peg 20, 2-2-0.

Shore Top A.C - Craig Cup -- An excellent match with plenty of fish being caught and the carp are starting to show themselves with a 9lbs-4oz common being landed by Trevor Hayes on the tip. Simon Stott had skimmers and roach for his winning total again caught on the tip. 1st Simon Stott 22-6-0, Trevor Hayes 20-2-0, 3rd John Turton 13-6-0, Jnt 4th Keith Murphy 13-1-0, Jnt 4th Graham Miller 13-1-0, 6th Trevor Bevin 10-7-0.

All contributions to the Angling Column are welcolme, ring Glynn Kateley on 01204 439623 or e-mail Glynn@gkateley.freeserve.co.uk

ENDS